The European Union has enforced a regulation that requires smartphones to have replaceable batteries from 2027. Only the last two signatures are missing on it, which nowadays is supposed to be focused on as much ecology, upcycling, sustainability and recycling as possible, just a formality. Users will thus receive phones with easily replaceable batteries, thanks to which they will save. If the phone lasts less and less over time, you simply replace the battery in it. But this change also has its dark side, which few people think about.
According to experts, three problems may arise that no one expected in connection with the introduction of the regulation. Today’s smartphones have batteries firmly attached, so they can use the maximum possible space. In addition, these batteries are firmly connected to the phone, so there is no risk of them being disconnected from the phone during use. For example, like old Nokias, which fell into at least three parts when they fell to the ground – the body of the phone, the back cover and the battery. But replaceable batteries will not be able to guarantee this “integrity”, moreover, they will not be able to use the entire available space, because they must be taken out, and so they will have slightly lower capacity.
However, this should be partially offset by the possibility of replacing the battery with another charged one. So, we expect to see the return of “2-in-1” chargers that charge both the phone and the spare battery at the same time. But while current unibody phones meet the proven basics for structural integrity, it’s clear that the return of the “door” to the back of phones will require a slightly more durable construction. So don’t be surprised when smartphones, which have been gradually getting thinner until today, they start to gain a little weight.
One step forward and three steps back
A third important factor that we may have to close our eyes to is increased durability. IP67 and IP68 resistance is slowly starting to reach even the middle class of phones, which is mainly due to the fact that the basic components are firmly glued and hermetically sealed against the ingress of water. The battery door on the back can be such a big problem that manufacturers they will not be able to guarantee IP68 resistancebut perhaps the lower IP54 standard.
Some have to start from scratch
Some mobile brands have recent experience with replaceable batteries, some will have to brand from scratch. Samsung keeps replaceable batteries in the Galaxy Xcover series (including IP68 resistance), Fairphone has offered battery replacement since the first generation. Nokia, which offers two easily repairable phones on the market, will also have a certain lead.
Yes, you need tools with them, but even so, they are a rarity on the market. With HMD Global, it can be seen that it is already preparing for future change, and if it continues at the established pace, it can have a significant advantage over the competition in the coming years. On the contrary, for Apple (home repairs of iPhones are rather laughable) and Chinese brands, the new regulation will mean a major intervention in existing phone designs. And manufacturers will definitely not make the necessary changes overnight…
Or they will remain with the increased resistance, but they will have to specially seal the space around the battery, which could affect the greater thickness and dimensions of the phone. Regardless of what happens in four years, replaceable batteries are great because of the increased recycling of cobalt, which is difficult to get out of batteries in current unibody smartphones. However, nothing is perfect, and we have to reckon with the fact that the introduction of replaceable batteries will also bring certain negatives. And we will have to move through them.
Removing the Nokia G22 battery:
Via: Cnet
2023-07-31 15:57:28
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